crack your Holland codeA Holland code is one way to begin to investigate your career interests. Dr. John Holland was a psychologistand career theorist who came up with a system of arranging careers and jobs into six categories. His theorywas that an individual’s skills, traits, and talents could be classified into six categories, and could provideinformation about the kinds of jobs or careers that might be good fits.

HOLLAND’S MAGIC SIX

R I A S E CRealistic careers require mechanicalability and a desire to work with objects.

Investigative careers involveobserving, ana-lyzing, or solvingproblems.

Artistic careers require a desire for creative experiences.

Social careers involve supporting,informing, training,or enlightening others.

Enterprising careers involve influencing,persuading, or leading others.

Conventional careers entailworking with information,numbers, ordetails.

Everyone has traits from all six of Holland’s categories, but most people are best represented by a combinationof categories. Find your Holland code by placing a check in the boxes of those activities below that interest youthe most. Then tally up the number of checked items in each section and write the number at the bottom ofthat section’s box.

Realistic

c fix a car

c use power tools

c care for animals

c play with gadgets

c play a sport

c upholster a chair

c work on an engine

c go camping

c paint a room

c cook or barbecue

c hook up an enter-

tainment system

__________________

Social

c throw a party

c give first aid

c make people laugh

c talk about feelings

c meet new people

c be a social worker

c teach school

c become a minister

c volunteer for a

charity

c be a tour guide

c be a translator

__________________

Enterprisingc sell things

c start a club

c debate an issue

c take charge

c manage money

c run a campaign

c manage a hotel

c sell real estate

c practice law

c be a detective

c plan events for others

__________________

Conventionalc follow a recipe c clean up a roomc put things in groupsc plan a tripc create a budgetc follow instructionsc sort the mailc be a bank tellerc analyze handwritingc work in food servicec take phone

messages

__________________

Investigativec use a microscopec dissect an animalc study the weatherc read science fictionc solve math puzzlesc study other culturesc build rocket modelsc visit a science

museumc repair computer

glitchesc evaluate a crime

scene

__________________

Artisticc write stories

c sing on stage

c play an instrument

c rearrange a room

c take photographs

c arrange flowers

c design stage sets

c direct a play

c write a blog

c lead a book group

c learn foreign languages

__________________

Now for your code: Which color has the highest number of choices? List that letter in the first space to the left. Then list those letters with second-highest and third highest numbers. This is your Holland code. Now look at the next two pages for some job titles that fit the first two letters of your code. highest second-highest third-highest

REALISTIC Investigative:air conditioning mechanicanimal trainerauto mechanic/auto body repairercomputer software engineerelectrical engineerexterminatordental lab technicianfire investigatorforesterhazardous waste removal workerwelder

REALISTIC

do what you areREALISTIC Social:

bus drivercorrections officerfirefighterpolice officersilversmithtruck driverbarberpower line installersurgical technologist

REALISTIC Artistic:brick layercabinet makercarpenterdesktop publisherarchitectural drafter

REALISTIC Enterprising:airplane pilotdiesel mechanicelectricianfarmerglazier (a person who cuts

and fits glass into buildings)jewelerpainterplumberprinting press operator

REALISTIC Conventional:drafter (who creates drawings based on designs

developed by engineers and architects)computer operatorsailorupholstererx-ray techniciancoach, umpire, or referee

INVESTIGATIVE Realistic:archeologistveterinarianelectronics engineerchiropractordentistrespiratory therapistoptometristchemical engineer

INVESTIGATIVE

INVESTIGATIVE Conventional:archiviststatisticiandatabase administratorcomputer systems analystpharmacistcoronermathematicianforensic science technician

INVESTIGATIVE Enterprising:urban plannersurveyorindustrial psychologist

INVESTIGATIVE Artistic:political scientisthistorianpsychologistsociologist psychiatrist

INVESTIGATIVE Social:anthropologistphysician’s assistantdoctor

computer programmersoil conservationistgeographermedical lab technologistagronomist (plant scientist)astronomerchemist

ARTISTIC Realistic:floral designerpainter or illustratorsculptorset designerarchitectmuseum art restorerdancerindustrial designerphotographer

ARTISTICARTISTIC Conventional:

librariandieticianeconomistfinancial analystmarket research analystmanagement consultant

ARTISTIC Social:poetwriterdrama, art, or music teacherinterpreter/translatorEnglish teacherchoreographereditorradio announcer

ARTISTIC Investigative:technical writerjournalistmuseum curatorcomposermedical illustratormusic arrangeranimator

ARTISTIC Enterprising:art directorstage, film, or TV directorinterior designerfilm editormusiciancartoonistgraphic designeractor/actressadvertising managercopywriterfashion designer

landscape architectglassblowersound technicianstone carvertailor

Based on Holland’s six categories, take a stab at the following activities. Fill the boxes with R, I, A, S, E, or C:

c 1. farming

c 2. using a chemistry set

c 3. designing clothes

c 4. attending a sports event

c 5. working on a political campaign

c 6. driving a snowplow

c 7. studying astronomy

c 8. working with the elderly

c 9. studying a foreign language

c 10. following a budget

Answers: 1.R; 2. I; 3. A; 4. S; 5. E;6. R; 7. I; 8. S; 9. A; 10. C

SOCIAL Realistic:home health aidephysical therapy assistantpostal clerkpractical nurseemergency medical technicianoccupational therapistathletic/fitness trainerphysical therapistdental assistanthospital orderly

SOCIALSOCIAL Enterprising:

tour guideoccupational safety specialistnannyschool principalsocial services directorfinancial plannerpersonnel trainersecurity guard

SOCIAL Artistic:recreational therapistkindergarten teacherspecial education teacherministerschool counselor

SOCIAL Investigative:anesthesology assistantaudiologistregistered nursespeech pathologistcounseling psychologistschool teachermental health counselorsocial workerpublic health educator

SOCIAL Conventional:probation/parole officeteacher’s aiddental hygienistmedical assistantoccupational therapy aid

ENTERPRISING Realistic:chefproduct demonstratorprofessional athleteconstruction contractorcourt clerkfloral designercement masonaircraft cargo supervisor

ENTERPRISING

ENTERPRISING Conventional:real estate appraiserdealer at a casinoopticianproperty managersales managerbuyer for a large storecity managerhotel managerhousekeeperinsurance agentoffice managerparalegalstockbrokerENTERPRISING Artistic:

cosmetologisthairstylistpublic relations representativecraft artistfashion designerfilm editorrecreation worker

ENTERPRISING Social:judgepersonnel recruiterretail salespersonbartendersalesperson for

manufacturing firmdetective

ENTERPRISING Investigative:industrial engineerinsurance adjusterauditormarket research analysturban plannerlawyerforester

CONVENTIONAL Realistic:insurance appraiserlibrary assistantmail carriermedical record technicianpharmacy assistantbuilding inspectorcartographerair traffic controller

CONVENTIONAL

CONVENTIONAL Enterprising:accountantadministrative assistantbank tellercost estimatorauditorinsurance claims examinerlegal secretarybudget analystcashiercustoms inspectortax consultantticket agent

CONVENTIONAL Social:audio-visual specialistdental assistantbookkeepercatalog librarianfile clerkmedical secretaryradiologic technician

CONVENTIONAL Artistic:graphologistshoe and leather workertile and marble setteradvertising sales agentglass blower/molder/finisherprogram directorproofreader

CONVENTIONAL Investigative:actuarycarpenterbicycle repairersawyerbrickmasonoil derrick operatorinsulation worker

Learn more!The lists here comprise only a small sample of the jobs ineach Holland category. Findmore by using the Do WhatYou Are online career assess-ment at www.vsac.org (lookfor the link under “Tools” inthe Quick Links box on theright).

And visit the OccupationalOutlook Handbook to learnabout the jobs listed here. The handbook provides descriptions for hundreds ofjobs, along with education requirements and job outlook data.www.bls.gov/ooh &www.onetonline.org/

explore/interests/